2012 - 2013 Aviation Studies (AVIA, AVFL)

Flight Operations: Goals | Program Requirements | Plan of Study | Minor
Aviation Management: Goals | Program Requirements | Plan of Study | Minor
Course Descriptions

Aviation Department Chair: Gerald Fairbairn
Faculty: Gerald Fairbairn, Bill Ogilvie
Director of Flight Operations: Lance Vaculin
Director of Flight Education: Julie Paasch
Assistant Chief Flight Instructors: Brandon McQueen, Sunny Jones
Director of Aviation Student Support: Gail Avendano
Associate Instructors: Randy Berg, Alan Borg, Michael Hannan, Jodi Howick

Accreditation

As of February 2012, both Aviation Studies programs—Aviation Management and Flight Operations—are fully accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI).
This program-specific accreditation supplements the college's accreditation and the Gore School of Business accreditation and assures aviation students that Westminster's high-quality is recognized and regularly evaluated by industry experts.

Aviation Department Mission Statement

We provide distinctive learning opportunities for aviation students by supporting the broad mission and goals of Westminster College and helping them gain the specialized knowledge, skills, attributes and attitudes necessary for recognition as outstanding aviation professionals.

Students in Aviation Studies select a program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Flight Operations, a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management, or a Bachelor of Arts degree in Aviation Management. Minors in Flight Operations, Aviation Management, and Business are also available.

Flight Operations Program Goals

Students completing a degree in Flight Operations must:

• Exhibit characteristics expected of professionals in the aviation industry (such as adherence to professional standards, consistent attention to safety, the practice of ethical behavior, and engagement in life-long learning).
• Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills expected of aviation professionals for entry and progression in the professional pilot career field.
• Demonstrate proficiency in aircraft flying skills and apply concepts of flight dynamics and applied aerodynamics.
• Apply information on aircraft performance characteristics and aircraft systems in realistic situations.
• Employ good aeronautical decision making practices which integrate an understanding of human factors and effective use of available resources.
• Demonstrate proficiency with modern flight deck technology including navigation, autopilot, flight management, and electronic flight information systems.
• Evaluate the evolving role of aviation and the factors impacting its place in the current world environment.
   

Flight Operations Program Requirements

To fulfill requirements for a major in Flight Operations, students must complete the courses listed below. Students must maintain a 2.3 GPA in courses required for the Flight Operations Major. In addition, because the program involves flight activity there are a number of criteria that must be met prior to being allowed to fly:

• An FAA Class I or Class II medical examination is required prior to beginning flight training (a Class I medical examination is recommended). At least FAA Class III medical standards must be maintained throughout training. A student pilot certificate is required for those just starting flight training. Student pilots must obtain a student pilot certificate with their medical certificate.
• Proof of citizenship verified by an original or certified copy of a birth certificate or current passport is required prior to beginning flight training. Foreign-born students must register with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) prior to beginning flight training. This registration process is conducted with the assistance of Westminster College aviation personnel.
• Students must maintain a minimum balance in their flight account in order to continue flying. All flight lab fees must be paid in full at the beginning of each semester unless prior arrangements have been made with the Director of Aviation Student Support.

Students will not be permitted to begin a flight lab unless these requirements have been met and may be required to drop a flight lab if requirements are not met by the add/drop date. Consult the "Westminster College Minimum Flight Training Costs" handout for specific details about flight trainings costs and required account balances for each flight lab.

Flight training courses are conducted at Salt Lake City International Airport. Students must arrange their own transportation to and from the Flight Operations Center.

Westminster College will consider prior learning credit for students who have received flight and ground training at other institutions under FAR Part 141 for Private and Commercial pilot certificates and the Instrument rating. For students who have received flight and ground training under FAR Part 61, the college will consider awarding credit only for the Private certificate and the Instrument rating. In all cases, prior learning credit will be awarded only at the discretion of the Director of Flight Education, based on an evaluation of the student's previous academic and flight instruction experiences. Transfer students may be required to supplement their flight labs with additional flight or academic instruction in order to meet Westminster College proficiency standards. Once a student has enrolled at Westminster College, all subsequent flight training required in the academic program must be completed with the Westminster College Flight Operations Center (including flight labs and ground schools in order to qualify for a Flight Operations degree).

A unique hallmark of the Westminster College aviation program is that our students are generally not billed for regular ground instruction. Students are billed for ground instruction under certain circumstances, such as taking an abnormally long time to complete a rating or by choosing to train under FAR Part 61. (Refer to the Westminster College Aviation Student Handbook for complete details about ground billing policies and expected flight training progress.)

Bachelor of Science in Flight Operations

Note: All students must complete 124 hours of coursework to graduate, 30 hours of which must be upper division (300 level or above). Students will need to take other courses to complete the college hours requirement. See the Aviation Studies department chair for details on the B.A. requirements.

Recommended Plan of Study for Flight Operations

This plan does not include Liberal Education requirements.

Note: The above plan is one example of a track through the flight program. A number of other flight course completion plans are available to match each student's time and financial resources. It is critical for flight students to frequently meet with the Director of Aviation Student Support or their academic advisor to select or adjust their flight course completion plan.

Students who do not finish flight lab requirements during the semester in which they registered for the flight lab are required to register for AVFL*499 (Continuing Registration for Flight Training) in the subsequent semesters to complete lab requirements. This zero (0) credit flight lab is restricted to continuing students who are completing flight requirements for specific flight courses.

Aviation Management Program Goals

Students completing a degree in Aviation Management must:

• Exhibit characteristics expected of professionals in the aviation industry (such as adherence to professional standards, consistent attention to safety, the practice of ethical behavior, and engagement in life-long learning).
• Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills expected of aviation professionals for entry and progression in a specified aviation management related career field.
• Apply general business concepts in the aviation environment.
• Apply concepts from safety management and human factors to realistic problems in the aviation environment.
• Identify and evaluate the evolving role of aviation and the factors impacting its place in the current world environment.

Aviation Management Program Requirements

To fulfill requirements for a major in Aviation Management students must complete the courses listed below. Students must maintain a 2.3 GPA in courses required for the Aviation Management Major.

Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management

Note:All students must complete 124 hours of coursework to graduate, 30 hours of which must be upper division (300 level or above). Students will need to take other courses to complete the college hours requirement.

Students who wish to participate in the MBA program should apply for admission to the MBA program during their senior year. Students are encouraged to meet with their program advisor for specific requirements. Information on the MBA program admission requirements is found in the MBA section of this catalog.

See the Aviation Studies department chair for details on B.A. requirements.

Bachelor of Arts in Aviation Management

Note: All students must complete 124 hours of coursework to graduate, 30 hours of which must be upper division (300 level or above). Students will need to take other courses to complete the college hours requirement.

Recommended Plan of Study for Aviation Management (B.A. & B.S.)

This plan does not include Liberal Education requirements or the requirements associated specifically with the B.A. degree.

Aviation Management Minor

Note: Students pursuing a minor in Aviation with a major in another Gore School of Business program cannot use their AVIA electives in both programs.

Flight Operations Minor

Students in any Westminster major program may choose to add a flight operations minor to their program. Students interested in completing this minor should meet with aviation faculty or staff to discuss additional requirements of the program. Flight time and the additional costs associated with flight training are required.

Note: Students pursuing a minor in Aviation with a major in another Gore School of Business program cannot use their AVIA electives in both programs.